If you’re a property owner, you may want to consider installing an EV charger under your roof, regardless of whether you drive one or not. As more buyers and renters expect EV chargers on their properties, property owners must take the necessary steps to make installation easier. Here is what Victorian homeowners need to know about preparing their homes for installing an EV charging station.
Partner with A Local Electrical Expert
Now, while technically any electrician can install EV chargers, it is recommended that you partner with an electrician in Melbourne who has experience installing them in Victorian homes. Certain chargers have additional technical specifications that may require specialised knowledge to integrate into a home. And of course, not all houses are actually EV-ready – especially older homes.
Not only will you need a competent electrician to install the charger, but they will also need to inspect and audit your home to ensure your home’s electrical system can handle the new demands of an EV. While there are savings to be made by driving an electric vehicle, the opposite may be true if you commit to installing an EV charger too soon.
That is why it is so important to ensure your house is ready for future energy-efficiency upgrades, such as an EV charging station, solar panels, or home batteries.
Ensure You Have a Suitable Power Supply
You will need to ensure that your home has a suitable power supply before installing an on-site charging station. This is very important because it determines how quickly you can charge your EV when plugged in at home. Typically, homes with a three-phase power supply offer faster EV charging, but it depends on the load on your home’s system.
You can check whether your home is on a single-phase or three-phase power supply by looking at your switchboard and noting the width of the main switch. If it’s one “pole” wide, your home is on a single-phase power supply; if the main switch is three “poles” wide and looks like a triple switch, your home has a three-phase power supply. If you are unsure, simply ask your electrician to confirm which phase your house system uses before purchasing your charger.
Location, Location, Location – Where to Install Your Charger?
After speaking with your electrician, you will need to assess the best position for your new charger, if any. The location should have access to power and provide enough wall space for the charger to be mounted, with clear space around it. Ideally, your home EV charger should be installed in a safe and secure spot, either in your garage or outside your home. Although many units are weatherproof, we suggest installing it under a roof or awning just to be safe.
Depending on the EV you choose, the charging port could be located on either side of the vehicle, or even at the very front or rear. Once you know where the port is, consider how you would typically park your EV at home to determine where to place the station. Also, make sure that the installation area receives Wi-Fi; most EV chargers use Wi-Fi to receive software updates and can even communicate with smartphone apps to notify you when your car needs charging.
Safety Considerations to Make Before Installing
As with any other vehicle or electrical equipment installed around your home, EVs require specific safety considerations, including fire safety. If your home has an older electrical system, this step becomes even more important. Many older Victorian homes built over thirty years ago were never designed to support the electrical demands of modern appliances, let alone an EV charger running for several hours overnight.
Ignoring these issues could result in overloaded circuits, nuisance tripping, or even electrical hazards. It’s also worth considering your future electricity needs. If you’re planning to install solar panels, a home battery, induction cooking, or reverse-cycle air conditioning in the coming years, your electrician can help design an electrical system that accommodates these upgrades from the outset.
Planning now can save you from paying for multiple switchboard upgrades later on.
Add Solar Power for An Extra Boost!
If your home already has solar panels installed, then you may have heard that you can charge your EV for free. Depending on the capacity of your solar panels, you can charge most electric vehicles for free during the daytime or during free electricity periods, but be sure to check with your energy provider to understand any limitations you may have. Adding a home battery also lets you store energy sourced from your solar panels to use overnight.
If solar energy isn’t an option at your home, you can check with your power company about ways to charge your car with renewable energy, such as through a green energy plan or carbon offsetting.
Prepare Your Home for the Future Today
Electric vehicles are no longer a niche purchase. They’re quickly becoming a normal part of everyday life, and the homes that can support them will now only become more attractive to future buyers and tenants. Whether you’re planning to purchase an EV this year or simply want to future-proof your property, preparing your home’s electrical system now can save you time, money, and unnecessary complications later.
An experienced electrician can assess your existing electrical infrastructure, recommend any required upgrades, and install a charging solution that’s safe, compliant, and built to grow alongside your home’s future energy needs.
